The Lord’s silence, in the Gita, about the purpose of creation, is truly a demonstration of His divine wisdom. This very same problem arises in various minds in various forms. How did avidya arise in Brahman? When did karma begin? Why did the Formless assume forms? How could darkness or Maya exist in the Supreme Absolute Light? And so on. There can be no answer to these questions. It involves the understanding of the Ultimate Principle, the Intelligence that is behind and beyond these questions, the Cause of all causes, the Subject of all objects. It cannot be known as an object. And, when the subject (Self or Atman) knows Itself, speech and thought cease. The questioner and question vanish in the quest. The doubt disappears in the doubter. In that Supreme Silence, the problem is inexpressibly solved! The riddle is solved; but speech is baffled and the question remains unanswerable.

Therefore, the Lord is silent about the transcendental question in the Gita; but, such is the divine wisdom of the Almighty that He gives ways and means of solving the problem.

Don’t bother about why creation came into being, but try to know the Creator! Take creation for what it is and try to transcend it. This is wisdom. Trying to probe intellectually into the mystery is only buying psychological distress.

There is no ‘Why?’ in respect of transcendental matters. ‘Why?’ is only for worldly things. Reason is finite and frail. God only knows the ‘Why?’. Realize the Self. Then you will get the answer. Then you will know the origin and nature of Maya and everything.

Q: Will there be world peace if there are no politicians?

World peace would not depend upon the existence or non-existence of politicians, if only people, individually and collectively, understand and live up to the canons of perfect righteousness, wisdom, truth and justice. As long as people do not rise to this level, ‘politicians’, which is only a name for those who are in charge of the administration, will continue to be actuated by their selfishness and greed and will accordingly ride roughshod over the feelings and sufferings of millions and will go on embarking on wars however destructive they may be in general.

Q: Why has God created young beautiful women? There must be some sense in His creation. We should enjoy them and procreate as many as possible. We should keep up the progeny of the line. If all people become sannyasins and go to forests, what will become of this world?

These beautiful women and wealth are the instruments of Maya to delude you and entrap you into the nets. If you wish to remain always as a worldly man with low thoughts, debasing desires, you can by all means do so. You are at perfect liberty. You can marry three hundred and fifty wives and procreate as many children. Nobody can check you. But you will soon find that this world cannot give you the satisfaction you want, because all objects are conditioned in time, space and causation. There are death, disease, old age, cares, worries and anxieties, fear, loss, disappointment, failure, heat, cold, snake-bites, scorpion-stings, abuse, earthquakes, accidents, etc. You cannot at all find rest of mind even for a single second. As your mind is filled with passion and impurity, your understanding is clouded and your intellect is perverted now. You are not able to understand the illusory nature of the universe and the everlasting bliss of Atma.

Passion can be effectively checked. There are potent methods. After checking passion, you will enjoy real bliss from within–from Atma.

All men cannot become sannyasins. They have various ties and attachments. They are passionate and cannot, therefore, leave the world. They are pinned to their wives, children and property. Your proposition is wholly wrong. It is asambhava, impossible. Have you ever heard in the annals of the world’s history that this world had become vacant as all men had become sannyasins? Then, why do you bring in this absurd proposition? This is an ingenious trick of your mind to support your foolish arguments and Satanic philosophy which has passion and sexual gratification as its important tenets. Do not talk like this in future. This exposes your foolishness and passion-nature. Do not bother yourself about this world. Mind your own business. God is all-powerful. Even if this world is completely evacuated when all people retire to forests, God will immediately create crores of people by mere willing, within the twinkling of an eye. This is not your look-out. Find out methods to eradicate your passion.

These questions and answers are taken from May I Answer That?, a free ebook from the Divine Life Society.

More from Swami Sivananda:

• 8 Keys to Spiritual Success from Swami Sivananda
• Swami Sivananda on Psychic Powers
• Making the Best Use of Time

Read the new Commentary on Light on the Path.

Sutra 2:1. Austerity [tapas], self-study [swadhyaya] and resignation to Ishwara [Ishwarapranidhana] constitute Kriya Yoga.

First let us define Kriya Yoga as Patanjali means it. Because many have read Yogananda’s autobiography they assume Patanjali means the method Yogananda named “Kriya Yoga,” but this is not at all so. The yoga methods which Yogananda taught in America were never called “Kriya Yoga” before that time, but were always referred to as “the Yoga of Shyama Charan Lahiri” or simply “pranayama.” Because the first was awkward to keep saying (or writing) and the second was too general, Yogananda realized the need to give the practice a distinctive name. Since the main effect of all pranayama is purification, he reasonably decided on Kriya Yoga. (By the way: Since this is so, those Indian teachers who denounce Yogananda as having altered the practice, claiming that they teach “the original Kriya Yoga,” are proved by simple historical fact to be false. For if they were really in the traditional line of Indian teachers they would not call it “Kriya Yoga” at all. As my friend Durgaprasad Sahai, a disciple of Swami Keshabananda written about in Autobiography of a Yogi, told me: “I practiced that yoga for twenty-five years before I ever heard it called ‘Kriya Yoga’–in Yogananda’s autobiography.”)

A Brief Sanskrit Glossary defines “kriya” as: “Purificatory action, practice, exercise, or rite; movement; function; skill. Kriyas purify the body and nervous system as well as the subtle bodies to enable the yogi to reach and hold on to higher levels of consciousness and being. And Kriya Yoga as: “The Yoga of Purification: ‘Austerity (tapasya), self-study (swadhyaya), and offering of the life to God (Ishwara pranidhana) are Kriya Yoga’ (Yoga Sutras 2:1).” It is this process that Patanjali is speaking about in this and the next sutra.

Kriya Yoga consists of three elements: tapas, swadhyaya, and Ishwarapranidhana. I have written about these in The Foundations of Yoga, and will include the relevant sections later on when we are considering yama and niyama, so now brief extracts will suffice.

“Tapas literally means ‘to generate heat’ in the sense of awakening or stimulating the whole of our being to higher consciousness.…Basically, tapas is spiritual discipline that produces a perceptible result, particularly in the form of purification.…whenever tapas is spoken of it always implies the practice of yoga and the observances that facilitate yoga practice.”

“Swadhyaya means ‘self-study.’ This is usually interpreted as the study of the sacred texts which deal with the nature of the true Self (spirit) and its realization.…But it also means keeping a careful watch on the ego-based mind so as to be aware of its delusive and destructive tricks.…In swadhyaya we look at and analyze the mind in the calmness and intuition born of meditation.”

“Ishwarapranidhana–the offering of one’s life to God…is far more on every level than simple religious devotion, and much more than any kind of discipline or self-denial done in the name of spirituality. It is the giving to God of the yogi’s entire life, not just a giving of material offerings or occasional tidbits of devotion to God, however fervent or sincere.”

From a strictly yogic viewpoint we can expand on these a bit. In tapas–meditation–swadhyaya takes place when we become aware of the changes taking place in our mind or see its condition, aspects, characteristics and so forth as we meditate. Also in meditation we are merging our prana–our life energies and breath with the Vishwaprana, the Universal Life Force, and ultimately with Ishwara, their source. So meditation is also Ishwarapranidhana.

Sutra 2:2. (Kriya-Yoga) is practiced for attenuating Kleshas and bringing about Samadhi.

“Klesha” means taints or afflictions. A klesha is something that diminishes or distorts our consciousness, bringing misery and pain in some form. It also hinders meditation, preventing us from rising to the state of calm, clear concentration and samadhi. Tapas, swadhyaya, and ishwarapranidhana weaken the kleshas, literally fading them out, washing them away, for they are accretions that have nothing to do with the eternal nature of our Self. Note that diminishing the kleshas is enough to bring about samadhi, which will then itself erase them completely. So we are not facing a herculean task that need daunt us. As Krishna tells Arjuna: “Even a little practice of this yoga will save you from the terrible wheel of rebirth and death [mahato bhayat–great fear]” (Bhagavad Gita 2:40).

Next: What Are the Causes of the Afflictions of Life?
Previously: Dawning of the Spiritual Light

More on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

• 7 Ways to Purify the Mind
• Obstacles in Meditation and How to Overcome Them
• Who is God? The Yogi’s Viewpoint

Sutra 1:46. They (stages corresponding to subtle objects) constitute only Samadhi with ‘seed’.

Sabija, “with seed,” means that which possesses attributes, and produces samskaras or subtle karmas in the experiencer. Sabija samadhi is Savikalpa samadhi wherein the seeds of samskaras or karmas are not destroyed, and which produces the highest and subtlest of samskaras or karmas.

Sutra 1:47. On attaining the utmost purity of the Nirvichara stage (of Samadhi) there is the dawning of the spiritual light [adhyatma prasadah].

In contrast to the samadhi spoken of in the prior verse, nirvichara samadha is nirbija: “without seed,” without attributes and without the production of samskaras or subtle karmas. Nirbija samadhi is nirvikalpa samadhi wherein the seeds of samskaras or karmas are destroyed (“fried” or “roasted”) by Jnana, and which produces no samskaras or karmas.

When the utmost purity (shuddha sattwa) of the buddhi is attained, then even pradhana in its highest form is transcended and the light of the Self is perceived.

Sutra 1:48. There, the consciousness [prajna] is Truth-and Right-bearing [ritambhara].

According to A Brief Sanskrit Glossary, Ritam is “Truth; Law; Right; Order. The natural order of things, or Cosmic Order/Law. Its root is ri, which means ‘to rise, to tend upward.’” When a yogi reaches the nirvichara stage his consciousness henceforward reflects the divine order and is oriented solely toward ultimate Reality. Therefore Vyasa comments: “The knowledge which appears in that clearness of the mind in samadhi has the special name of Truth-bearing in the literal sense that it brings truth alone, and there is no trace of erroneous knowledge in it. So it is said: ‘By scriptural authority, by inference, and by enthusiasm for meditation practice–in thee three ways perfecting his knowledge, he attains the highest yoga.’” Shankara says that the consciousness spoken of in this verse is born from viveka (discrimination between reality and unreality).

Patanjali’s standards must be applied to us first of all, but also to any who claim to have realization of the Truth (Sat).

Sutra 1:49. The knowledge based on inference or testimony is different from direct knowledge obtained in the higher states of consciousness (I-48) because it is confined to a particular object (or aspect).

That is, such knowledge is only relative and limited to one object at a time, whereas the knowing in samadhi is absolute, unlimited, and all-inclusive, for Brahman is described as “That which when known, all becomes known.”

Sutra 1:50. The impression produced by it (Sabija Samadhi) stands in the way of other impressions.

Vyasa explains this perfectly, saying: “The samskara produced by truth-bearing knowledge removes the accumulated deposit of samskaras of extraversion. When the extravertive samskaras are overcome, no ideas arising from them appear. With inhibition of extravertive ideas, samadhi becomes habitual. Then there is knowledge from that samadhi; from that, more samskaras are laid down of knowledge, and so a fresh deposit of samskaras is built up. From that again knowledge, and from that more samskaras of it.” Shankara expands on this, commenting: ”Knowledge must set up a samskara. Each time the knowledge is renewed, its special samskara is reinforced. But the renewal of the knowledge is from again taking up meditation on the object, different from itself. It can do this because it is produced by a different object, namely the thing as it really is [yathartha].”

The samskaras produced by sabija samadhi erase the samskaras of ignorance. Vyasa explains this, continuing: “Why would not this new accumulation of samskaras draw the mind into involvement with it? It is because samskaras of knowledge cause the destruction of the taints [kleshas], and so do not constitute anything that would involve the mind. In fact they make the mind cease its activity, for the exertions of mind come to an end in knowledge [khyati].”

This may seem technical, but it is an absolutely practical analysis, for Patanjali intends for us to compare what he says with our meditation experiences and thereby know whether or not we are truly progressing toward enlightenment. In the same way the Bhagavad Gita describes the state of mind of a liberated person in such a way that only the yogi can know whether or not he is in that state. No one can cite the Gita to prove to others that he is liberated–he alone can know the truth of the matter. Both the Gita and the Yoga Darshan are practical manuals of higher consciousness.

Sutra 1:51. On suppression of even that owing to suppression of all (modifications of the mind) ‘Seedless’ [nirbija] Samadhi (is attained).

From sabija samadhi the yogi passes on to nirbija samadhi, the final step in the liberation of his consciousness. This produces no samskaras and dissolves the samskaras accumulated from sabija samadhi. Vyasa: “Thus the samskaras do not cause the mind to continue to exist, but prevent its involvement with anything. The mind, no longer involved, ceased to exists, along with the samskaras which have promoted release. When mind ceases, Purusha abides in his own nature alone, and is therefore called pure, alone, and released.”

The section on samadhi (samadhi pada) is now completed.

Next: What is Kriya Yoga?

Previously: Types of SuperConsciousness

More on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

• The Foundations of Yoga
• Introduction to Om Yoga

The subject this morning is “A Church in Your Home.”

When Paramhansa Yogananda, founder of Self-Realization, established the work in America, in the Articles of Incorporation was this particular tenet: “to establish in every home in the United States and even throughout the world, a little room for quiet and meditation, a temple where devotees can meditate in an effort to establish oneness with Cosmic Consciousness or God the Father, which is the goal of life.”

So in these few words we can see the importance of establishing a little church or a little room where one can with definite effort try to make that contact with God and realize that that is our goal and that’s what we are and that’s what we are here for–to know our oneness with God.

Now occasional church services are not enough, but they must be augmented by daily contact, daily contact with God, because insecurity of this outward existence is so deeply ingrained in this physical consciousness, that unless we do that we will not escape it. We will not escape the delusion and its insecurity. That you can realize.

And so, occasional services like these, and like the meditation services which we have at the SRF Retreat in Encinitas and in Hollywood, give us the inspiration, because everyone who comes with sincere heart feels the Presence of God. But that Presence will leave unless you, unless I, regularly keep the contact by meeting God in that little temple in our own home–it is absolutely essential.

How long has Christianity been among us, and how long has it been a failure? We cannot deny that. Why? Because not enough people have a little church in their own home where they can put into practice the principles of Christianity, and all true religions, and contact God. That’s why it has failed. Now we do not want to fail. We want to succeed, and realize our oneness with God.

Yogananda’s words

Master has said these wonderful words, and if you will just remember these words, you will have everything you need. He says this, “The sense of security and inner assurance we crave are a natural result of meditation and God communion.” Can it be any clearer? We do not feel secure in this outward consciousness. We do not have that inner assurance. Why, because there is no inner assurance in our security in it. The security is in God, and we have the ability by concentrating upon Him. As the Master has said, “A natural result of concentration and meditation, which gives God Communion.”

And here we are looking. We are being sidetracked by the power of delusion and iniquity–the evil force in this world–to look outside, and to listen to all sorts of things that come from outside, and not to go within and find God. That’s why we have trouble–that’s why people are in trouble. Instead of listening to God within, they listen to outside things, and worldly things. There’s the answer.

So let us remember these words of the Master, once more. “The sense of security;” don’t we all want that? An inner assurance–if we can but know God is with us and feel His Presence, we’ll have all the assurance we need. And that those things which we crave are “a natural result of meditation” in this little room, this little church in your home, which will give you God Communion. Those are most wonderful words. Remember those few words, if you forget all else.

Why is this so? Because the soul craves union–it craves union with God. When you get discouraged and are assailed on all sides by problems and troubles, your soul cries out for what? For union with God, where there are no troubles, and where there is security and assurance that He is with us. Then no one can stand against us. That’s why this is so, that’s why the Master’s words are so wonderful, because the soul craves one thing–Union with God the Father, Union with Cosmic Consciousness, Union with the Great Spiritual Sun of Righteousness from which we have come, in which we are arrayed. Let us realize that. That’s why the church in the home is necessary, and that’s why we should enter it every day. Yes, more often, if possible.

Daily worship

Now the Master has also written words to this effect when he says, “The benefit of daily worship cannot be overestimated. Seldom do men realize how often God responds to prayer when it is given by a devotee who really trusts God.” These are also most wonderful words: “The benefit of daily worship cannot be overestimated. Seldom do men realize how God heeds prayers. He is not partial to a few.” Thank God for that. He is not partial, but as the Master says, He listens to everyone who approaches Him trustingly. How simple, but how true. So, let us realize that prayer is not wasted, if it is done scientifically, and with a true and contrite heart, trusting in God. Then prayer is a Reality. And, how to do that? Know His Presence; know the Presence of God within, and be one with that.

And you can do it easily by hearing the Great Sound of His Voice within you, the Holy Vibration, or seeing the Light of His Cosmic Light, or feeling in your heart His Great Love. If you do any of those things–or all, if possible–there you have God with you. Surely He will answer. As Master has said, and I never get tired of repeating it, “God loves us so wonderfully and silently, more than we can imagine, and through His devotees.” I think we need a little church in our home, and we need to enter it every day.

These meetings, as this one and other gatherings, are wonderful, because through united effort there is much more power. I realize that. But the sad thing is that it is the Law that unless you augment it with daily contact with God, you lose it. You lose the touch which God gives you. So let us not forget that it is absolutely necessary to have that little church in your home and to enter it and to worship and contact God.

Jesus said what? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…and all these things shall be added unto you”–all things that you need (Matthew 6:33). Don’t you think that means daily? Master said the same thing to me one time, and I have never forgotten it. As usual I was in trouble, as I always was most of the time in my earlier days, and I came to him with a big problem. And I was ruffled and I didn’t seem to stir him up much, and so he comforted me and said it will be better–and it was the next day.

Yogananda answers Dr. Lewis

And so I came to him and I said, “Sir, I wish I had your stability; I wish I could feel God was with you as you do.” He said, “Remember Doctor, the same Father who protects me protects you. He is our common Father.” Isn’t that wonderful? But we don’t trust God. We trust outward things and what people say rather than what God tells us inside. Let us realize those words of the Master. And also another time Master said, “No matter whether seemingly you fail, if you watch carefully you will see the Hand of God working through your life.” And I have found that so. I have found that absolutely so. And, if God will give us that inner realization where we know we are one with Him, that’s far better than material success or position, because that’s lasting. That’s our life–that’s what we are. God is our Father, we are His children.

Now, when troubles come–and they surely will–Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). And, I say, there is plenty of it. We don’t deny that. People go around and say everything’s perfect. There is no trouble in [the] world. Everything’s fine. It is not. All the great saints and sages have said that Jesus said that “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” but he did say also, “…be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” That’s why we need that little church in our home–to overcome this world by contacting that which is above the world: the Presence of God, His Great Light, and His Love.

Don’t leave God’s side

The Master said one time to me on another occasion, he said, “Leave all else, but never God’s side.” And so when those troubles come, and you feel like shaking the whole world and correcting it, don’t try it. You can’t do it. But don’t leave God’s side, and He will do it for you. Because He says, “Vengeance is mine. I will judge; don’t you judge” (Romans 12:19). You may make a mistake, but let God judge, and He will judge correctly, and He will never forsake you. Master said, “Don’t worry, God will never forsake you,” So don’t worry. None of us should worry. If we would but trust Him and realize we are His children, [praying:] “Father, we are Thy children. Help us never to leave Thy side.”

Master said the most wonderful words. He went through many tests, as many of you know, to establish this work of Self-Realization in such a short time. It took tremendous energy, but it took tremendous suffering. And that’s what he did. Why? Because you and I might be able to have that little church in our home and contact God. He opened the channel. And, if he had not done it, it would not be so easy for us–let us not forget that.

Master had his troubles. And he told me many times, “If it were not for God Alone, I would not have been able to preserve my sanity.” I’m sure that church is necessary in our home, even from that one testimony. Jesus had his troubles–he had his tribulations, so much so that he had to go and pray in that little church, wherever it was. He had no home like we have perhaps, but he went into that little temple, wherever it was, and contacted God. That’s how he was able to stand up against tribulation and these tests which come, because “the way of the cross leads home.” There’s no other way. You have to rise above worldly consciousness to reach that home, and in that worldly consciousness is trouble. So you are going to have trouble. That’s why the way of the cross will take you out–if you trust God and enter that little church within every day and regularly.

Right meditation and concentration on God

And so, finally, even though our faith is weak, it will be strengthened, it will become dynamic, if we will daily meditate and contact God. Through right meditation and concentration on God within, we can be one with His Presence, because as our Master said, “Our very consciousness is God’s Consciousness,” When you feel the Peace and Bliss which you feel as we meditate together this morning, that’s the Presence of God. Now, if you regularly, every day, concentrate on that Presence, what [do] you do? You become that Presence, because we are made in the Image of God. We are His children, and as such, if we can but know it, and realize it, as He has all things, so will we. And that means we will have security, and inner assurance that no force in the universe can touch us, if we daily enter that little home, little church in our home, and keep the contact with God.

And so it is very necessary, very essential, and all families who do that, if you look about you, and read, you will find those who contact God and join together in prayer, and especially those in Self-Realization who will daily make the contact with God–they will succeed, and they will see the Hand of God guiding them regularly in everything they do.

A friend of mine who is in Connecticut and is the head of a large church there, had these words to say, “In my quarter century of ministry, I have never known a single instance of those who have prayed and worshipped together habitually to have been separated,” And so let us realize that. Gandhi said the same thing, speaking about his mate, he said, “I don’t know what it is, but I do know this thing about her; that there is an inseparable indissoluble bond between us,” And that’s the bond which is between all of those people who regularly pray, and meditate, and contact God. And that inseparable bond is His Great Love. And if we have that, we need fear nothing. If we, in our daily activity, feel God’s Love with us–who can touch us, who can disturb us–no one. If God is with us, who can be against us?

And so let us remember the Master’s words. “That inner security and inner assurance will always be with us, if through that little church in our home we keep contact with our one Loving Father, our common Father.”

Listen to the audio file of this talk.

More from Dr. Lewis, and from Paramhansa Yogananda:

• Yogananda’s Last Days
• Ten Bits of Wisdom from Paramhansa Yogananda
• How to Get Your Prayers Answered

Q: Maharaj, I am practicing Japam and meditation, but I have not yet acquired any taste for these. Somehow or other I am struggling on. What must I do?

S wami Brahmananda: Is it possible to have that taste in the beginning? No. Struggle hard to attain it. Concentrate all your energies on its achievement,and never for a moment pay heed to other matters. Apply yourself whole-heartedly to it and to it alone. Onward, onward! Never be satisfied with your present state of mind. Try to create within yourself a burning dissatisfaction. Say to yourself “What progress am I making? Not a bit.” Sri Ramakrishna used to say to the Divine Mother “Mother, another day is gone and I have not seen Thee!”

Reflect

Every night before you go to bed, think for awhile how much time you have spent in doing good deeds, how much again in doing useless things; how much time you have utilized in meditation and how much you have wasted in idleness. Make your mind strong through Tapasya (austerity) and Brahmacharya (continence) .

In rich men’s houses they keep a Darwan (porter) whose duty is to prevent thieves, cows, sheep, etc., from entering the compound. The mind is man’s Danwan. The stronger the mind becomes, the better. Mind has also been compared to a restive horse. Such a horse generally takes the rider along the wrong path. Only he who can hold a tight rein and check the horse can go the right way. Struggle, struggle on! What are you doing? Is everything achieved by the mere wearing of the Gerua cloth (ochre-coloured cloth of the Sannyasin) or by renunciation of hearth and home? What have you realized? Time is flying. Do not waste a single moment. You will be able to work hard only another three or four years at the most. Afterwards both body and mind will become weak and infirm and you will not be able to do anything. What can be achieved without diligence?

You are thinking, “Let us first of all have yearning, faith and devotion; then we shall do our Sadhana (spiritual practices).” Is that possible? Can we see the day without the break of dawn? When the Lord comes, love, devotion and faith follow Him as His retinue.

Be up and doing!

Can anything be achieved without Tapasya? Brahma at first heard–“Tapas (meditate), Tapas(meditate), Tapas (meditate)” Do you not see what a severe Tapasya even the Avataras (Incarnations of God) had to perform? Has anybody gained anything without labour? Buddha, Sankara and others what tremendous austerities they practiced in their lives! What burning renunciation they possessed! What severe Sadhana they performed!

Real faith cannot be had in the beginning. First realization, then faith. But at first the Sadhaka (aspirant) has to pin his faith “blind faith” it may be to the precepts of his Guru (spiritual teacher) or of some great soul; then only can he advance toward the goal.

Do you not know the parable of the oyster as told by Sri Ramakrishna? The oyster floats about on the surface of the sea with its shell wide open, just for a little drop of the Swati-rain (rain falling when the star Swati or Arcturus is in the ascendant). As soon as it gets a rain drop, it dives down to the ocean-bed and there forms a fine pearl. Like the oyster, you too should be up and doing and then dive deep into the ocean of meditation.

You have no self-reliance. Personal exertion is an indispensable factor for success in the spiritual life. Do something for a period of at least four years. Then if you do not make any tangible progress,come and take me to task.

Japam and meditation are impossible unless you transcend the limitations of Rajas (excessive activity) and Tamas (inertia or lethargy). Afterwards,you have to rise even above Sattwa (illumination) and attain the high spiritual plane from where there is no return.

How difficult is the attainment of a human birth! Yet it is only in this human birth that God-realization is possible. Strive hard in this life and reach that state from which you will not have to comeback.

Step by step

The mind is to be raised, step by step, from the gross state to the subtle, then to the causal state, still further to the Great Cause (Mahakarana) and finally to Samadhi (highest illumination). Resign yourself fully to the Lord. He is everything. There is nothing besides. “Verily all this is Brahman.” Everything is His and His only. Never be calculating. Is self-surrender possible in a day? When that is achieved, everything is achieved. One must struggle hard for it.

Life is eternal. The span of man’s life is at most a hundred years. Give up the pleasures of these hundred years, if you want to enjoy eternal life and, with it, eternal bliss.

More spiritual reading–writings by the following authors:

• Swami Sivananda
• Paramhansa Yogananda
• Sankara’s Catechism

There is no such thing as unnecessary experience, nor is there anything that is not karma. That is why in Yoga Sutras 2:18, Patanjali says that the entire range of relative existence “has for its purpose (providing the purusha with) experience and liberation.” (The words in parentheses are added by the translator I. K. Taimni in his commentary The Science of Yoga.)

More Questions and Answers:

• Can the Unknowable Be Known?
• Letter To A Spiritual Co-Dependent
• Jesus and the Aquarian Age

• Search Him Inside Your Heart

God is your heart. He is in you and you are in Him. Search Him inside your heart. If you do not find Him there, you will not find Him anywhere else.

This search after God is a question of supply and demand. If you really want God, if there is a demand for God, then the supply will come at once.

Give up clinging to illusory life. Be fearless. Take refuge in vairagya. All fears will die away. Cling to the lotus feet of the Lord. Cling to the invisible, unseen Brahman. May the Almighty Lord guide you in all your activities.

• Remove The Veil

Remove the veil of ignorance which is hiding your real svarupa. Destroy egoism, the sense of duality, sense of separateness. Your real nature is Satchidananda. You are identical with Brahman. Never, never forget this.

Always protect yourself from evil influences. Do not allow the spiritual samskaras to be obliterated. It is difficult to regain what is lost in spirituality. Exercise vichara, viveka, always. Utilise your will to resist evil influences.

Develop your will-power by driving desires, by titiksha and great patience. Acquire peace by contentment, santosha, vichara, satsanga and great patience. You will shine in your own glory.

• Look Within

Within you is the hidden God. Within you is the immortal soul. Within you is the inexhaustible spiritual treasure. Within you is the ocean of bliss.

Look within for the happiness which you have sought in vain in perishable sensual objects. Rest peacefully in your own Atman.

Surrender everything unto Him. Place your ego at His feet and be at ease. He will take complete charge of you. He will do everything for you. Practice. Feel. Assert. Enjoy the Supreme.

• Knowledge Gives Freedom

The practice of selfless service destroys sins and impurities and causes purity of antahkarana. Knowledge of Self dawns in a pure mind. Knowledge of Self is the only direct means to freedom. Cooking is not possible without fire, so is emancipation without knowledge of the Self. Knowledge certainly destroys ignorance as light destroys thickest darkness.

Be absorbed in your work. Give your full heart, mind and soul. Do not care for the results. Do not think of success or failure. Do not think of the past. Have complete confidence. Practice self-reliance. Be cheerful always. Keep a cool balanced mind. Work for work’s sake. Be bold and courageous. You are bound to succeed in any undertaking. This is the secret of success.

• Sit Motionless

Do not grumble about bad environments. Create your own mental world and environments. Build up your character properly. Establish virtuous healthy habits.

Understand the glow, splendor and power of the Self which is at the back of your mind, thoughts, will and memory. Keep your body strong and healthy by regular exercise. Become a spiritual hero.

Shut out the doors of the senses. Still the thoughts, emotions and feelings. Sit motionless and calm in the early morning hours. Have a receptive attitude. Go along with God. Commune with Him. Enjoy abiding peace in the silence.

• Hear, Reflect, Meditate

Discipline the mind and the senses. Cultivate noble virtues. Develop the four means. Hear the scriptures. Reflect and meditate on the Atman. This will result in Self-realization.

Have no blind faith. Reason out carefully and then accept anything. Annihilate lust, anger and greed. Share what you have–mental, physical and moral–with others. Take delight in serving others. All your egoism and arrogance will disappear.

In the lamp of the heart put the oil of vairagya. Insert the wick of devotion. Now kindle the light of knowledge by constant meditation and see. The darkness of ignorance will be dispelled. You will be fully illumined.

• Meditate In Brahmamuhurta

Purify your heart and meditate. Dive deep into the innermost recess of the heart. You will find the Atmic pearl. If you search in deep water, you will find the pearl. If you keep only to the shore, you will find broken shells only.

O friend! Wake up. Sleep no more. Meditate. It is Brahmamuhurta now! Open the gate of the temple of the Lord in your heart with the key of love. Hear the music of the soul. Sing the song of love for your Beloved. Play the melody of the infinite. Melt your mind in His contemplation. Unite with Him. Immerse yourself in the ocean of love and bliss.

• Practice Regular Meditation

Do not give a loose rein to the mind. Curb it ruthlessly. Annihilate it. You will soon cognise the Truth and attain the final emancipation. All pains, sorrows and delusions will terminate.

Renounce all your sorrows, fears and anxieties, and walk in the path laid down by the scriptures. Abandon the impure vasanas, cultivate the pure vasanas and practice regular meditation on the pure, all-pervading Atman.

Meditate on the Lord who is an embodiment of light, peace, bliss and Knowledge. Do not waste the time in idle-gossiping, eating, drinking and sleeping. Life is meant for higher purposes. Come, come attain Immortality.

More from Swami Sivananda:

• Sivananda in His Own Words
• 51 Points on Meditation
• Swami Sivananda on Psychic Powers

Sutra 1:41. In the case of one whose Chitta-­Vrttis have been almost annihilated, fusion or entire absorption in one another of the cognizer, cognition and cognized is brought about as in the case of a transparent jewel (resting on a colored surface).

The precision of Patanjali is to be noticed and admired. He could have said that the fusion takes place when the modifications of the chitta have ceased, but that is not accurate. The fusion can occur when the modifications have almost come to an end. There is no room for inaccuracy or exaggeration in Yoga.

Patanjali is telling us that when the modifications of the mind-substance are almost eliminated, the yogi is able to completely unite his awareness to his own Self as the knower, the very process and instruments of knowing, and any object that he is perceiving. The Buddhists call this “penetration.”

Sutra 1:42. Savitarka Samadhi is that in which knowledge based only on words, real knowledge and ordinary knowledge based on sense perception or reasoning are present in a mixed state and the mind alternates between them.

In A Brief Sanskrit Glossary, vitarka is defined as: “Thought; reasoning; cogitation with sense perception; discussion; debate; logical argument.”

Savitarka Samadhi is the state of union with an object in which the yogi is able to conceptualize and intellectually define what he is perceiving. He is able to internally analyze and recognize what he perceives. Basically, he can still “think” in that state, though it may not be in the usual internal verbalization which we usually mean by “thinking.” In Savitarka Samadhi there is not pure, direct Knowing that is a divine quality. Rather it is a mixture of intellection and direct perception. However it is the step before Nirvitarka Samadhi, and its attainment assures the yogi that he is approaching the summit of Kailash.

Sutra 1:43. On the clarification of memory [smriti], when the mind loses its essential nature [swarupa], as it were, and the real knowledge of the object alone shines (through the mind) Nirvitarka Samadhi is attained.

Nirvitarka Samadhi is the state of union with an object in which remembrance of their names and qualities is not present. That is, the mind ceases to be either a perceiver through the outer senses or a thinker in either words or concepts, and becomes so perfect a knower that no distinction can be found in knowing, knower, or known. This is a state of perfect (total) unity in which outer and inner, object and subject, simply no longer exist–literally. I do not mean they are not present, I mean they are no more in the absolute sense.

Sutra 1:44. By this (what has been said in the two previous Sutras) Samadhis of Savicara, Nirvicara and subtler stages (I-17) have also been explained.

Nevertheless, only an adept yogi really knows what Patanjali is talking about.

Sutra 1:45. The province of Samadhi concerned with subtle objects extends up to the Alinga stage of the Gunas.

In meditation, consciousness is the ultimate object, but our perceptions need to pass through the intervening veils of subtle vibrations between our higher mind, the buddhi, and Consciousness itself. Consequently, even though right from the beginning we should be at least dimly aware of the principle of Consciousness, nevertheless, we will start to experience the subtle elements (bhutas), the subtle energies of our inner makeup. If the meditation is proceeding as it should, we experience increasingly subtle elements while at the same time our awareness of Awareness steadily increases. This is the savichara samadhi Patanjali is talking about. Eventually the original state of pradhana (prakriti) is experienced that is beyond the point of differentiation of the three gunas. This is the highest point of savichara samadhi. “Alinga” means: without any attribute, characteristic or mark, and in this verse refers to the undifferentiated prakriti.

Just as the buddhi borders on the Self and reflects the Self, so is this state of samadhi. It is at the apex of experiencing subtle vibration with profoundly experiencing Consciousness, for Vyasa says: “There is nothing more subtle beyond pradhana.”

Previously: 7 Way to to Purify the Mind
Next: Dawning of the Spiritual Light

Further reading: While reading this commentary, another outstanding commentary to read is The Science of Yoga, by I. K. Taimni.

God made man immortal. He was to remain on earth as an immortal. He was to behold the drama of change with a changeless immortal mind, and after seeing change dancing on the stage of changelessness, he was to return to the bosom of eternal blessedness, then evil crept in, causing man to concentrate on the changes of life and on outward appearances rather than on the underlying immortality in all things, and thus made him conceive the false idea of death or complete annihilation.

Destroying the Idea of Death

The motion picture of a man’s life, his birth, life on earth, and death, seen on the screen, produces the joyous consciousness of his birth and the sad concept of his death, or end, but Satanic ignorance hides from view the motion pictures of man’s pre-natal life as he joyously began the descent from God, and the joyous return to God as he hurried back after death. Satan has made us forget our pre-natal and post-natal experiences, and by showing us for a time this drama of life and then lowering the curtain, it has produced in us the erroneous conception called death.

I am not denying the experience of the change called death, but I consider it only as an outwardly moving link in the chain of immortality, all of which is hidden from our view. To say that death or change does not exist, in unmetaphysical and erroneous. To forget this dismal, delusive death, man should behold all change as dancing on the bosom of changelessness. Man should behold the changeless ocean of Infinity as wavelets of change appearing and disappearing.

Supernatural Death Versus Painful Death

If Adam and Eve had not transgressed the wishes of God, and their descendants had not allowed themselves to be influenced by hereditary ignorance, then modern man would not have to witness the heartrending painful deaths through accident and disease.

Man appeared on earth, being materialized by God, and was to live on earth, beholding the birth, sustenance, growth, and the painless, sorrowless, return of the body in complete perfection. Than, as it is possible to watch the slow process of a flower budding, growing, and disappearing on the movie screen, so man should behold his life pictured on the screen of his consciousness through the stages from childhood to a full-grown individual, and then his disappearance unto God of his own accord by his own power of dematerialization.

Man, being out of tune with God, has lost his power of dematerialization, so he is frightened by the screen picture of life prematurely cut off even before he has finished seeing the whole perfect picture of his changeful life. This premature withdrawal of the motion picture of life produces pain due to attachment to those screen pictures of flesh and consciousness and is known in the world as terrible death by pain.

We mortals have so many misconceptions about death that it has grown into importance and has fixed in us an idea of annihilation and pain instead of being seen as a phenomena necessary in the successive steps which the soul must follow in order to return from the state of change to the changeless state. It is necessary for death or change to come, so that the soul may finish beholding this motion picture of life and be released in order to go back to the home of Immortality.

How Reincarnation Was Created by Satan

Satan saw that it would all be very simple if the immortal children of God, after beholding a perfect earthly existence with a changeless attitude, would go back to immortality again, so Satan made imperfect patterns or tampered with the showing of a perfect picture of life before it was completed, and caused mental and bodily pain through delusion. This dissatisfaction, arising from an imperfect, prematurely destroyed picture of life, created in man the desire to see perfect pictures of life in order to behold them until completion.

Ever since, the immortal images of God forgot their already perfect immortality and began to introduce delusive imperfections in the perfect dramas of life staged on the screen of time. Ever since, immortals have been coming and going from earth by the law of cause and effect, which governs desires. Ever since, this law of cause and effect has affected free souls as the law of Karma (action), which keeps them earthbound.

This law of cause and effect, which imprisons souls on earth in Satan’s Kingdom of finitude, has been called “reincarnation.”

How to Destroy Reincarnation

Immortal souls can only expect to be free by utterly destroying all seeds of earthly desires by Divine contact with God through meditation. This reminds the soul of the unending fulfillment in the immortal inheritances of Bliss which makes desires for earthly ways unnecessary and ridiculous.

Knowledge of Wholeness

Emancipation from reincarnation is also possible by playing the living drama of a perfect life of health, abundance, and wisdom on the screen of consciousness; that is, if one can remove the consciousness of sickness and not fear sickness if it does come, and not desire health while suffering from ill health, then one can remember one’s soul, which was always well and was neither sick nor healthy. If we can feel and know that we are the children of God, and as such possess everything, even as our father, God does, although we may be poor or rich, we can be free. If we can feel that we have Divine knowledge, because we are made in the image of God, although humanly speaking we know little–then we can be free from reincarnation.

Fear of sickness and a desire for mortal health, fear of poverty and a desire for opulence, a feeling of lack of knowledge as well as a desire to know everything, belong to the domain of ignorance. Of course, if we are stricken with ill health, failure, or ignorance, we need not continue to remain so. We should strive for health, prosperity, and wisdom without being afraid of failure.

Know That Imperfections Are Dream-Born Delusions

While struggling, man must know that his struggle for health, prosperity, and wisdom is born of delusion, for he already has all he needs within his inner powerful self. It is only because he erroneously imagined, when in spiritually ignorant mortal company, that he did not have these–that is why he lacked them. All he has to do is to think right and not strive to acquire things. He needs only to know that he already has everything.

Once a healthy, wealthy, and wise prince dreamed that he was poor, and in the dream he shouted: “Oh, I am suffering from cancer and I have lost all my wisdom and riches.” His wife, the queen woke up and aroused him, saying: “Look, prince, laugh and rejoice, for you are neither suffering from sickness nor have lost riches and wisdom, but you are comfortably lying at my side in health and wisdom, in your rich kingdom. You were only dreaming about these catastrophes.”

So it is with ignorant man. He is dreaming about lack and failure, when he might claim his birthright of joy, health, and plenty as a son of the ruler of the universe. He is now living in his perfect kingdom, but is dreaming evil.

Know God First

The constant desire for health and prosperity, which is so much harped upon in modern spiritual organizations, is the way to slavery. We must seek God first and then find health and prosperity through Him. Beggars get only a beggar’s share, whereas, a son of God gets his son’s share. That is why Jesus spoke of seeking and knowing the kingdom of God first. When that is actually accomplished, then health and prosperity will be added. The acquirement of wisdom and everything else that the soul of man needs will be received as a matter of his Divine birthright.

It is best to feel by visualization and by Divine contact in meditation that you are already perfect in health and wisdom and have abundance, rather than try to succeed by begging for health, prosperity, and wisdom. In fact, man’s mortal efforts are bound by the laws of cause and effect. Man cannot get more than he deserves. By the method of begging, no human being can ever fulfill all his endless desires, but by first realizing his oneness with God, man can own everything he needs.

Man cannot have immortality by begging for it or by feeling a desire for it. He should know that he is already immortal and that so-called death is only a dream.

According to the plan of God, man should have experienced growth from childhood, and through youth to manhood, but should never have experienced death by old age or disease. Even if man becomes old, he should never die of disease or suffer painful death. In the drama of life and death, when beheld with Divine understanding, there can be no pain in death, but only the showing or stopping of the motion picture of life at will without physical or mental pain.

Origin of Pain

The outward flowing force which struggles to keep all things in manifestation saw that without pain people would not create earthly desires to hold them here, so the illusion of pain was created, which is purely a mental phenomena. The pain of ill health and death creates the desire for health and life, and to have health and life the immortal image of God must again and again return on earth to complete its slow growth from ignorance to enlightenment.

Satan is defeating his own purpose, for it is physical pain and sorrow which cause matter-imprisoned souls to seek freedom in God. A child’s pure soul feels very little pain. A doctor friend in an orthopedic hospital told me that children vie with each other to get their deformed limbs operated upon, whereas, adults have to be coaxed for weeks, and at the time of their operation they are usually overcome with emotion and fear.

Man has fortunately discovered anesthetics to neutralize pain. Originally man had great self-control and a mind which was unattached and impersonal, and so did not feel pain when the body was injured. He could behold his own body without pain even as one can witness an operation on another’s body without becoming mentally excited or suffering physical pain.

Although a mother feels terrible agony when her own son dies, she does not feel the same when hearing of the death of a stranger’s son. So it is that man feels the agony of accident and disease in his own body but not the suffering of others. This is only due to the proximity of continued attachment. The farmer’s water-proof, fire-proof, less sensitive child feels much less physical suffering than the sensitively brought up son of the rich. If you have no fear or nervous imagination, you will feel less pain.

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness with the wild beasts of passion and the fierce mortal desires of pain and hunger for material kingdoms, sent by Cosmic Satan.

Read Part 1 of this article: Yogananda’s Thoughts on Evil and Satan

More by and about Yogananda:

• Yogananda’s Last Days, by Dr. M. W. Lewis
• Finding Happiness in Difficult Times
• Important Conditions for Happiness
• Happiness Is in the Mind